Less than two months after New Jersey ís first black bear season in over 30 years the hunt faces another attack from the antiís.

Senate Bill 700, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Woodbridge, would prohibit black bear hunting for five years. It also gives $95,000 to the Humane Society of the United States , the nationís largest anti-hunting group, to develop a bear management plan. The bill strips the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife of its wildlife management authority, mandating that only the governor or legislature may issue a bear permit.

Senate Bill 700 would allow animal rightists to dictate wildlife policy and use tax dollars to pay for it. It eliminates science from wildlife management.

The bill is proof that anti-hunters will not yield in states in which they believe they have influence in the legislature. This is the third legislative session during which such language, complete with an appropriation, has been introduced in New Jersey.

In recent months, anti-hunters have brought a number of lawsuits to end the stateís bear hunt, endeavored to ban muzzleloaders and filed a lawsuit to try to suspend all outdoor sports in the state until background checks had been run on license buyers.

Take Action! New Jersey sportsmen should contact their senators and tell them to oppose SB 700. Tell them that science, not emotion, should be used to manage wildlife. To find your senator and for contact information, call (800) 792-8630, or use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.